Helfeld's Delicatessen & Catering
Last inspected: Oct 27, 2025
82
Score
Helfeld's Delicatessen & Catering appears in inspection records five times, starting in 2022. Helfeld's Delicatessen & Catering was last inspected on Oct 27, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near five violations per visit.
Across the inspection history, “non-food/food contact surfaces clean” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
Helfeld's Delicatessen & Catering scores about where you'd expect for a Chicago restaurant. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 27, 2025
Reinspection
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: 4-501.12 : MUST REPLACE OR REPAIR WORN AND PITTED CUTTING BOARD ON TOPSIDE OF PREP COOLER TO BE IN GOOD REPAIR.
47
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: 4-601.11(C) : MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM COOLERS AND PREP TABLES.
49
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 : OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEE MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: 2-102.13 : OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
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82
Oct 23, 2025
Routine
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Proper cold holding temperatures
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURES OF TCS READY TO EAT STORED IN DELI DISPLAY UNIT FOODS SUCH AS 18LBS.TURKEY-47.4F-50.2F4LBS. SPICY TURKEY-46.1F.8LBS. ROAST BEEF-47.5F-49.6F.3LBS. SALMON-59.7F.10LBS. PASTRAMI-48.2F-49.6F.4LBS. BEEF BRISKET-47.5F.2LBS. TUNA SALAD-48.6F.4LBS. WHITE FISH SALAD-46.7F.4LBS. EGG SALAD-47.3F..5LB-COLE SLAW-46.2F..5LB. RED SLAW-46.2F.1LBS. ANTIPASTA SALAD-48.3F..5LBS. SALAMI-50.7F.2.5 GALLONS CHICKEN & PEAS SOUPS-48.7F-50.7F.PRODUCT WAS DISCARDED BY MANAGER MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING FOODS AT 41.0F OR BELOW.APPX.104LBS.$900.(COS)(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
22
Proper cooling methods used; adequate equipment for temperature control
Inspector notes: OBSERVED IMPROPER TEMPERATURE OF DELI DISPLAY COOLER WITH TCS READY TO EAT FOODS STORED INSIDE AT 50.0F. A HELD FOR INSPECTION TAG HAS BEEN PLACED ON UNIT.MUST HAVE COLD HOLDING UNIT AT 41.0F OR BELOW. ONCE REPAIRED EMAIL:FOOD@CITYOFCHICAGO.ORG.(COS)(PRIORITY 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
33
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEES HEALTH POLICIES MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010)(CITATION ISSUED)
3
Warewashing facilities: installed, maintained & used; test strips
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO CHEMICAL TEST KIT TO CHECK SANITIZING SOLUTION PPM'S AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(CITATION ISSUED)
48
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: OBSERVED AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON (MALE CUSTOMER)WALK THROUGH PREP AREA AND WENT TO TOILET ROOM IN REAR AREA OF FACILITY.INSTRUCTED PIC THAT ONLY EMPLOYEES ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO USE TOILET ROOM DUE TO ENTRY TO PREP AREA AND POSSIBLE CROSS CONTAMINATION.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-005)(COS)(CITATION SSUED)
39
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: MUST CLEAN FOOD DEBRIS BUILD UP FROM COOLERS AND PREP TABLES.
49
All food employees have food handler training
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEE MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
57
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED EXPIRED FOOD ALLERGEN TRAINING FOR FOOD MANAGER MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
58
Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage & display
Inspector notes: MUST PROVIDE A SPLASH GUARD AT HAND SINK NEXT TO CLEAN DISHES STORAGE SHELF OR REMOVE FROM AREA TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION.
39
Personal cleanliness
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FOOD HANDLER NOT WEARING A HAIR RESTRAINT WHILE HANDLING FOODS MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
40
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed & used
Inspector notes: MUST REPLACE OR REPAIR WORN AND PITTED CUTTING BOARD ON TOPSIDE OF PREP COOLER TO BE IN GOOD REPAIR.
47
41
Nov 20, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Dec 28, 2023
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: OBSERVED FROZEN CHICKEN THAWING ON THE TABLE IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTED TO THAW TCS FOODS UNDER COLD RUNNING WATER, IN THE REFRIGERATOR OR IN THE MICROWAVE AS PART OF A CONTINUOUS COOKING PROCESS.
35
Wiping cloths: properly used & stored
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED WIPING CLOTHS STORED ON PREP TABLES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO STORE IN SANITIZING SOLUTION BETWEEN USES.
41
Non-food/food contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED ACCUMULATED FOOD DEBRIS ON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SURFACES OF COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP TABLES, COOLERS, FREEZERS, SHELVING UNITS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
49
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED SOILED MOP HEADS NOT PROPERLY STORED. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO HANG MOP HEADS TO PREVENT INSECT BREEDING.
55
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS THROUGHOUT FACILITY. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
55
78
Jul 6, 2022
License
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Procedures for responding to vomiting and diarrheal events
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN PROCEDURES OR SUPPLIES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING OR DIARRHEAL EVENTS. SUPPLIES MUST INCLUDE ADEQUATE SANITIZER THAT ELIMINATES NOROVIRUS. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO PROVIDE CLEAN UP POLICY AND SUPPLIES TO PROPERLY HANDLE BODILY FLUID SPILLS ON SITE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
5
Management, food employee and conditional employee; knowledge, responsibilities and reporting
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO WRITTEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. INSTRUCTED FACILITY TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND MAINTAIN WITH VERIFIABLE SIGNED COPIES ON SITE FOR ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF REPORTING AGREEMENT. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION #7-38-010. NO CITATION ISSUED.
3
Toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, & cleaned
Inspector notes: OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE IN THE UNISEX PUBLIC/EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
53
Physical facilities installed, maintained & clean
Inspector notes: OBSERVED WATER STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE STAINED CEILING TILES.
55
Allergen training as required
Inspector notes: OBSERVED THE CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD CERTIFIED MANAGER WITH NO PROOF OF ALLERGEN TRAINING CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED ALL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGERS OBTAIN THIS CERTIFICATE.
58
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Helfeld's Delicatessen & Catering last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Helfeld's Delicatessen & Catering on file is from Oct 27, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Helfeld's Delicatessen & Catering?
Across the inspection record, “non-food/food contact surfaces clean” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Helfeld's Delicatessen & Catering.
Has Helfeld's Delicatessen & Catering's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Helfeld's Delicatessen & Catering have averaged around five violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Helfeld's Delicatessen & Catering means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Helfeld's Delicatessen & Catering inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Helfeld's Delicatessen & Catering is inspected around two times per year on average.
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